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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Localized mRNAs in Mammalian Cells
Published on: December 17, 2012
Characterization of the cis-acting element directing perinuclear localization of the metallothionein-1 mRNA
H Chabanon1, D Nury, I Mickleburgh
1Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
Abstract:
Subcellular localization of mRNAs is a key mechanism for the synthesis of proteins close to their site of function. The mRNA encoding MT-1 (metallothionein-1) is localized in the perinuclear cytoplasm, where it is associated with cytoskeletal-bound polysomes. This localization relies on sequences present in the 3'-UTR (3'-untranslated region). The present study aims to characterize the cis-acting localization element(s) within the 3'-UTR. Using transfected cells expressing tagged MT-1 differing in their 3'-UTRs (deleted or mutated), the section(s) of this region required for directing MT-1 transcripts to the perinuclear cytoplasm has been investigated. Different 3'-UTRs were also used in UV cross-linking experiments that highlighted two distinct regions (nt 26-30 and 66-76) necessary for the binding of a protein of approx. 50 kDa, presumably involved in the mRNA targeting. The poor sequence homology between the MT-1 3'-UTR of various species, together with the bipartite nature of the required cis-element, indicates the involvement of a particular structure in the localization signal. The secondary structure of the MT-1 3'-UTR was investigated using enzymic and chemical probing. Current structural analysis of mutant 3'-UTRs will allow the critical structural features of the MT-1 mRNA perinuclear localization signal to be defined.
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